Daijiworld Media Network - Chikmagalur (SP)

Chikmagalur, Feb 12: The district policemen have arrested the dethroned Swamiji of Mahantina Math and his two accomplices, in relation with the murder of a villager named Shivagangamma(70), and Chinniga gram panchayat vice president Chandravati, both from Moodigere taluk. All the three have been remanded to judicial custody.

The police had long been pursuing the above cases but to no avail. On the evening of Monday February 9, they succeeded in arresting Shivayogi Shivacharya(25), expelled spiritual head of Mahantina Math and his accomplices Mohammed Asud (22) and Farooq(26) from Moodigere town.

The above person was appointed as the head of the Moodigere branch of Rambhapuri Math in 2006. He was removed from the post after he deceived a person by using some other's cheque and cheating him by forging his signature.

Superintendent of police M N Nagaraj informed in a press conference held here on Tuesday February 10, that a Maruti Omni vehicle and gold ornaments sold to local Mahalaxmi, Vinayak and Anjaneya Jewellers valued at Rs 1 15 lac has been recovered.  The policemen could break the deadlock after recovering a mobile phone near the decomposed body of Chandravati, found from near Santaveri Ghat. She had called to the mobile number of the Swamiji several times.

The arrested persons reportedly confessed that they murdered the women to get access to the gold ornaments they were wearing. The accused also said that they had thrown the body of Shivagangamma after snatching the gold ornaments she was wearing, in Charmadi Ghat area. The policemen will now launch a search operation for her body, the SP said. 

Shivagangamma was killed by the erstwhile Swamiji after inviting her to his room for offering prayer. She was killed when she was praying, he confessed.

Western range inspector general of police A M Prasad, pleased with the breakthrough achieved by Chikmagalur policemen, has announced a reward to the policemen involved with the investigation.